RIP: “Deadliest Catch” Captain, Phil Harris Dies

This is sad. This is a very good show and Capt. Harris has been fighting severe health issues. When it looked like he was getting over it, he passes.

I never saw anyone live like him, on a diet of Red Bull, cigarettes, and danger at sea. I feel for his family and as a fan of the show, he will be missed.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A spokesman for The Discovery Channel says the captain of the "Deadliest Catch" fishing vessel Cornelia Marie has died.

Capt. Phil Harris suffered what his family described as a massive stroke on Jan. 29 while the boat was in port at St. Paul Island, Alaska. The 53-year-old fisherman was flown to Anchorage for surgery.

A Discovery spokesman says the Harris family contacted the network Tuesday evening with word of his death.

Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman issued a statement on behalf of sons Jake and Josh Harris. It says in part, "It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad – Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end."

In the network’s own statement, Hillman says, "We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart."